PhillyClout Team

Thousands across the country have rallied for justice in the death of 17-year old Trayvon Martin who was gunned down by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman in late February, in Sanford Fla.

“Today, we know that our justice system is working,” said City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, a day after special prosecutor Angela Corey announced in Jacksonville, Fla. that Zimmerman would be charged with second degree murder –which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. (Check out today’s Daily News story here.)

Reynolds Brown sponsored a resolution calling for justice in Martin’s death and standing in solidarity and support of his family. The case has sparked public outrage.

“Two weeks ago, when we introduced this resolution, we did not know whether the family would ever see this day. We now know that they will indeed be given their day in court,” Reynolds Brown said. “They will be given their constitutional right to seek justice in the death of their son.”

Meanwhile, Reynolds Brown said Philadelphians should not forget about the violence in their own backyards. She said as of yesterday there were 97 murders this year.

"That means 97 families in Philadelphia who are hurting, searching for meaning and seeking the same level of justice for their children. Those families must know that their pain is not overlooked and their questions deserve to be answered," she said, adding that she hopes the police department and other officials "continue to treat each and every one of these cases with the same urgency and respect that we have seen at the national level."